Worcs battle to avoid defeat

6:55pm Friday 16th May 2008

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WORCESTERSHIRE were today praying for more rain as they faced a battle to avoid the follow-on on the final day of their LVCC Division Two match against Gloucestershire.

The New Road side closed last night on 189-9, still needing another 105 runs to make Gloucestershire bat again.

The Gloucestershire attack, missing Steve Kirby and Jon Lewis, went through the County batsmen with ease.

Having been unable to get their innings under way on the second day, the County, having dismissed the visitors for 444, had to wait until 2.40 pm to begin following heavy rain.

The innings got off to a bad start when Will Rudge put in a short ball that struck Daryl Mitchell on the left elbow in the second over, forcing the County opener to retire hurt for one and go for an X-ray. It revealed nothing broken, but he returned in excruciating pain to partner Simon Jones (four not out) untilthe close.

Skipper Vikram Solanki had gone quickly for four, while Stephen Moore (20) was caught behind. Anthony Ireland picked up his first wicket in his seventh over as Ben Smith (16) drove to deep point.

Graeme Hick and Steven Davies gained some respite with a 64-run stand before the former fell for 60, caught off Alex Gidman.

Davies was next to go, bowled by Mark Hardinges for 32, before the Gloucestershire skipper trapped Gareth Batty leg before for 16.

Steve Magoffin played a few shots for his 16 before edging Rudge to Snell, before Grant Hodnett took a fine catch at first slip to remove Gareth Andrew off Rudge for 13. Richard Jones was out for two.